When she was a child, Liza Barton accidentally killed her mother and severely injured her step-father; she was acquitted of the homicide based on the grounds that she tried to protect her mother from her stepfather who her mother kicked out of the house. Still the townsfolk felt Liza was a bad seed and rejoiced when a distant relative adopted her. She changed her name to Celia Foster and following the death of her wealthy husband, Celia married lawyer Alex Nolan.

She and Alex seek a home for themselves and her four year old son from her first marriage.. Alex surprises Celia when he buys a house in Mendham, New Jersey; the same home that Celia killed her mother in. The realtor Georgette Grove never revealed the infamy of the house to Alex, and Celia remains silent too because she vowed to her late spouse on his deathbed to conceal her past. Not long after the family moves in, Georgette is murdered with the police suspecting Celia. Already in trouble, a betrayal could lead to her death and that of her son..

There are very few authors who write suspense as well as Mary Higgins Clark does; there are even fewer writers who can use an improbable coincidence and make it seem plausible. The police and the ambitious prosecutor (who is thinking of becoming governor) struggle with the present day crimes that send them relooking the Barton homicide. Celia is a good role model who has overcome plenty to become a solid citizen, a nurturing mother, and a loving spouse. Her strength enables her to survive almost all of life's below the belt blows. Ms. Clark provides an entertaining thriller that displays her storytelling skills.

REVIEWED BY HARRIET KLAUSNER

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